Apparatus for applying surface coatings to glassware



Feb. 23, 1960 P. E. BIVENS ET AL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SURFACE commasTO GLASSWARE 4 sneets sne'et 1' Original'Filed Nov. 23, 1956 INVENTORSP19 UL E. 231 YEN? BY Z'HRL 1'? 5617196751? mronumqs Feb. 23, 1960 P. E.BIVENS ETAL 2,925,301 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SURFACE COATINGS TOGLASSWARE Original Filed Nov. 2s.' 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 23, 1960P. E. BIVENS ETAL 2 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SURFACE COATINGS TO GLASSWAREOriginal Filed NOV. 23, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 P19 111: E. 51 KENS- EJQKLI. .SZHA EFER M MaJAM A/IHM Feb. 23, 1960 P. E. BIVENS ETAL 2,925,301

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SURFACE commas T0 GLASSWARE Original Filed Nov.23, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A 72 v E INVENTORS PA UL B1 YEN-5 ATTORNEYSUnited Sttes Patent APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SURFACE COATINGS T0 GLASSWARE'3 Claims. (Cl. 118-2) Novem- This invention relates toglasswaretreating apparatus. More particularly, this invention is drawnto an improved apparatus for applying or depositing a uniform coating ofa treating liquid onto the surfaces of glassware, and which apparatus iscapable of continuous and automatic operation r It has long beenrecognized that the surfaces of glass articles are desirably givenvarious treatments in the form of spray applied solutions in order toimprove the resistance of the glass article to scratching and/ orbreaking which would otherwise be encountered in the frequent handlingof these glass articles. inthe various steps involved in theirmanufacture and use.

Apparatus for applying such solutions of treatments which have been usedin the past, however, have generally comprised a gang-type spray systemfor distributing the treating solution onto the glass surfaces. Thesegang- .type' spray systems generally involve a simple linear manifoldmember, having a plurality ofports extending across their length whichcontinuously emit the treating solution as a veritable curtain of thetreating solution.

. With the advent of the more recently developed treating materials suchas the solutions or emulsions of silicone resins and polyethylene waxes,it has become increasingly evident that the prior art gang-type sprayapparatus is economically undesirable in that large amounts of thematerials must be utilized in attempting to obtain effective coverage ofthe entire surfaces of the glasswareconcerned. More efiicientutilization of the comparatively expensive treating solutions couldtheoretically be effected by the use of spray apparatus which emit thesolution in the form of a mist driven by atomizing air; Ithas beenfound, however, that the gang-type system cannot be readily modified toemit the solution in mist form because the plurality of ports involvedcannot praeticallybe supplied with sufiicient pressure to effect theformation of mist, or, even if some mist is formed, the pressures areinsufficient to maintain and carry the mist over the entire surfaces ofthe glassware. As a consequence, it has been found that the mistcollects only on the uppermost surfaces of the containers, and .thelower side portions are left bare of the treatment, whereupon scratchingof theglassware and breakage follow. In addition, the exc cesscollecting on the top side portion of the bottles interferes with labelapplications.

Another disadvantage of'the apparatus employed heretofore is that suchapparatus indiscriminately distributes the treating solution and, as aconsequence, the insides of glass containers are coated with theparticular agent. Inasmuch as certain treating agents or solutionsthereof have toxilogical eife'cts, they cannot be tolerated on theinsides of glass containers which are ultimately utilized as containersfor foods or beverages for human consumption.

A further disadvantage of apparatus used heretofore is the observedfouling-up and contamination of adjacent equipment. an annealing oven,which preferably precedes the solu- A particular illustration of theforegoing is mice tion-depositing apparatus, and in which the presenceand depositing of treating solutions is obviously detrimental.

While it is true that the mist form of the desirable treating solutioncan be effected by many commerciallyavailable spray guns utilizingpractical operating pressures, it is completely unsatisfactory toattempt to utilize such spray guns by hand. Obviously, hand operation ofsuch equipment involvesexcessive labor costs and, furthermore, this typeof application would be subject to human error such' as the depositingof non-uniform films onto the surfaces of the glassware.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to pro-v vide anapparatus which is capable of depositing a uni: form film or layer oftreating liquid over the entire sur,- faces of glassware, whichapparatus is capable of continuous unattended operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an apparatuswhich is easily andreadily adjustable to meet a wide variety ofcommercial requirements.

It is still another object of this invention to provide such apparatuswhich is particularly adaptable to effect efficient application ofrelatively expensive treating solutions.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus which iscapable of applying a surface-treating liquid to only the outer surfacesof glass containers without substantial introduction of the treatingagent into the inner confines of the glass container.

Yet another object of this invention is to'provide apparatus forapplying liquid treatments'to glassware, which apparatus may beconveniently utilized in close proximity to conventional glassproduction and processing equipment without contamination thereof, andwhich apparatus is additionally characterized by the fact that it iscapable of starting and/or terminating a sequence of operationautomatically.

The specific nature of this invention, as Well as other objects andadvantages thereof, 'will become apparent to those skilled in the artfrom thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith theannexed sheets of drawings, on which, by way of example only, areillustrated embodiments of this invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a specific sprayingapparatus of this invention in an operating cycle, illustrating spraybeing continuouslycmitted about a plurality of glass containers. i

Fig. 2 is a schematic side elevation view of the spray head and theglass containers of Fig. 1,,showing the relative position of the sprayhead with respect to the, glass containers. i

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of an annealing'lehr incorporating anapparatus of this invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of adjacent rows of glass containers emerging fromthe lehr of Fig. 3, as they pass beneath the apparatus of thisinvention. 3 1

Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of the' containers in Fig.4.

Fig. 6 is a planiview of the annealing lehrof Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a schematic section view taken on the line 77 of Fig.3. f 1 fFig. 8'is a schematic representation of the electric circuit diagramcontrolling the mechanical operation of the apparatus of this invention.I Z

Basically, this invention is concerned with continuously operableapparatus capable of efiecting a uniform deposit of a treating liquidupon the surfaces of a plurality of singular glassware, and comprisingaeontinuous conveyor for supporting glassware, a spanning supportforaspray head, including an arrangement for efiecting' oiifand-offsequence of sprayoperation, a dtivesystemfoi" effecting reciprocatingtravel of the spray head "along the spanning support responsive toenergization provided by an electric eye arrangement positioned adjacentto the conveyor, and an exhaust system for effecting positiveunidirectional flow of the spray medium.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, there is shown in Fig.l a continuous conveyor 11, formed of reticulated material andsupporting and advancing a plurality of transversely aligned rows ofglass containers 10. Spray head support 12 horizontally spans saidcontainer and is slidably and adjustably mounted on a vertical column 13by clamping member 14. The opposite end of the spray head support isrollably carried by rollers 15, 15a, and 15b on a horizontal I-beam16,aligned parallel to the conveyor 11, and which is, in turn, slidablymounted on a vertical column 17 by clamping member 18. The angle of thehorizontal spray head support, with respect to the path defined by theconveyor 11, can be readily adjusted by loosening locknut arrangement19, incorporated into member 16. The member 16 also incorporates a scale20 and a pointer 21 in conjunction with the locknut arrangement 19,permitting ready perception of the angular displacement of the sprayhead support and, consequently, permits ready adjustment'to meet anyparticular requirement as, for instance, the speed of the conveyor. Theclamping members 14 and 18 permit easy adjustment of the height of thespray head support, according to the size of the articles to be treated.A spray head 22"is carried below the spray head support 12 by a verticalmember 23 which, in turn, is fixed to a channel member 24, whichisrollably carried on the horizontal spray head support 12 by rollers25. The spray head 22, mounted on the auxiliary members 23 and 24, ismovable within the extremities of the horizontal support 12, and itstransversing movement is effected by a continuous chain 26, mountedabout laterally displaced sprockets 27 and 28, which are mounted atopposite ends of the horizontal support 12, and driven by suitable meansnot shown. Flexible conduits 28, 29 and 30 are connected to the sprayhead 22 and supply it with the spray solution, atomizing air, andcontrol air, respectively, the latter operating a needle valve 30a whichcontrols spraying and non-spraying sequence of the spray head. Thecontrol air to the needle valve, 30a, and effecting initiation andtermination of spray emission, is activated when cam follower 32,attached to the channel member 24, moving across the top surface of thehorizontal support 12, contacts respectively the cam projections 31a and31. o

A light source 40 is positioned at one side of the conveyor ll todirecta beam of light transversely across the conveyor to impinge'upon aphotoelectric cell 41, positioned on the opposite side of the conveyor.The photoelectric cell, initiates a flow of current, as explained morefully hereinafter, and which flow initiates the drive means whicheffects transverse travel of the spray head 22.' The arrangement is socontrolled that the spray head 22,,has a"'home position at one end ofthe horizontal support 12. One cycle of operation isdefined by theprogression f e sp ay ead q i fs he t of the o e and its return'to thehome position. The electriceye arrangement initiates, a sequence oftransverse travel of the sprayhead 22 when the cell 41 receives anuninterrupted beam of light, but only if such uninterrupted beam oflightbeen preceded by an interruption of said beam by the passage of a row ofcontainers 10; The signal from the photoelectric cell 41 istransmittedto the electric control box 42,"which contains the wiring andcontrol circuits, which are explained more'fully hereinafter inconnection with Fig. 8. Angular displacement of the horizontal support12 allows the spray head 22 to advance in the same direction as theglass containers 10, carried on the conveyor 11, at the same uniforrnrate as the containers, while simultaneously passing transversely overthe path of the containers.

Ihe 'results of the foregoing 2,-

hswmg mstant 4 between the spray head in positions 22, 22a, 22b, and 220with respect to bottles 10, 10a, 10b, and 10c. When a spraying sequencehas been initiated by the action of the v photo cell 41, the spray head22 proceeds across the conveyor 11 between two adjacent rows ofcontainers. As the spray head 22 reaches the end of its path between twoadjacent rows, the spray is terminated by the cam means 32 and 31,activating the air supply 30 and, in turn, closing a needle valve withinthe spray head 22, while the chain 26, acting on auxiliary supportmembers 24 and 25 returns the spray head 22 to the home position in timeto repeat the cycle, if energized by the photoelectric cell. Theconveyor 11 may, of course, be driven at a uniform rate of speed, or itmay be advanced in intermittent sequences of stop and go. With thisarrangement, the horizontal spray head support 12 can be alignedparallel to the rows of containers and the spray head caused to passbetween said adjacent rows while they are in a momentary stationaryposition. Obviously, in this latter type of operation, spray can becontinuously maintained as the spray head 22 passes in spraying sequenceover and back, followed by, an advancement of the rows by the conveyorto bring the next ,two adjacent rows into position, followed by anothertraversing sequence of operation, etc.

An exhaust vent 43 is positioned beneath the conveyor 11 in such aposition that the major exhaust zone 44 is in a plane passing verticallythrough the spray head 22. An exhaust fan (not shown) in the exhaustvent 43 is operated continuously and serves to provide a uniform andunidirectional flow of the sprayed solution issuing from the spray head22. This serves to insure complete contact of the entire outer glasscontainer surfaces, and also serves to prevent any treating solutionfrom being swept by indiscriminate air currents backward into theadjacent equipment.

In another embodiment of this invention, there is illustrated in Fig. 3an annealing oven, or lehr, 50, through which proceeds a continuousconveyor 51, formed from a reticulated material, supporting andadvancing transversely aligned rows of glass containers 52. The glasscontainers 52 pass beneath the path of a spray head 53 as they emergefrom the annealing lehr. The spray head 53 is mounted to rigidly suspendfrom an intermediate support member 54, which, in turn, is rollablycarried by rollers 69 on the guide rails 70 and 70a (Fig. 7) at, the topand bottom of a horizontal channel member 55. The channel 55 isheld'by'clamps 56 and 56a to vertical columns 57 and 58 '(Fig. 6),disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor. Conduits 59, 60 and 61 areconnected to the spray head. 53 and supply it with treating solution,atomizing air, and control air, respectively, the latter operating aneedle valve as described in connection with Fig. 1. The travel of thespray head 53 is controlled so as to traverse the advancing rows ofglass containers only when the spray head is positioned intermediatelybetween two adjacent rows of glass containers. 'This position isparticularly illustrated in the plan view constituting Fig. 4.Furthermore, most preferably, the spray head is positioned, asillustrated in Fig. 5',"so that'the lowermost spray-emitting orifice 62of the spray head just clears the tops of the containers 52;Furthermore, the spray emission is preferably controlled so as to'emit acone-shaped zone 63. The latter, in conjunction with the. closeclearance between the misteemitting orifice 62 and the tops of thecontainers, together with'the termination of the spray by a camrningarrangernent', as described hereinbefore, in connection with Fig. 1,prevents any solution from entering containers on the return passage ofthe spray head.

Drive means 64 (Fig. 6) is mounted on the horizontal support channel 55and operates through a speed reducer 65 "to drive sprocket member 66(see also Fig. 7), mounted at one ,end of horizontal member 55. Thesprocket 66; drives a continuous chain 67, which engages sprocket 68,mounted atthe opposite end of the member it! SP??? St e. he PF Y h esun-2 H em e s! and the spray head 58, efiecting transversemovement,

The lug projects upward when the lug link is on the upper path of travelof the chain between the two sprockets, and projects downward when onthe bottom path of travel of the chain between the two sprockets. Thesupport member'54 from which the spray head is rigidly suspended bearstwo fingers or projections 72 and 73, so arranged as to be engaged bythe lug, one projection 72 being engaged when the lugprojects up, andthe other 73 when the lugprojects down. In this fashion, reciprocaltravel of the sprayhead'is accomplished with a single drive source asthe lug proceeds in the path of travel of the chain and particularly,the outer periphery thereof.

In typical operation, the glass containers after forming are passedthrough the annealing oven 50 on the conveyor 51, where they aregradually cooled from their forming temperature to a temperature rangemost adaptable to the particular treatment to be applied. As the glasscontainers pass along the'interior of the lehr 50, they pass into thearrangement of this invention and, as the beam of light is broken byfonerow of containers, followed .by anuninterrupted' beam of light reachingthe photoelectric" cell (light source and cell not being shown in Figs:3 and 6), an operating cycle of the spray head 53 is initiated,whereupon the spray head, in spraying sequence, proceeds equidistantlybetween adjacent rows of; containers. As stated previously, as the sprayhead reaches the end of its path inthat direction,the spray isterminated andthe spray head 53, carried by the drive chain, returns to.its original position. As can be readily understood, even though thespray head in its return path passes over the open mouths of thecontainers, inasmuch as the spray hasbeenterminated, none will enter thecontainers. The travel of the spray head carried on the channel member55 is terminated at its original or home position bythe vcontact of thelug 71 with a switch 74 (Fig. 7), mounted on the channel support 55, to'the lower left of the sprocket 66. The contact opens the switch74momentarily as discussed hereinafter, and deenergizes the drive motor,causingthe sprayhead to coast to a stopat the home position, where itremains until another sequence of operation is initiated.

Referring to Fig. 8, which is a schematic representation of a suitablecontrol circuit for controlling the energization of the drive motor 87,it will be noted that the drive motor is energized from a suitable powersource 88 through closing the normally open contacts 91 of a relay 90.The energizing coil 92 of relay 90 is connected in the plate circuit ofa thyratron type tube 94, and power for such plate circuit supplied by asuitable alternating current source 95. A resistance 98 is connected inseries with coil 92, and is shunted by condenser 99 and the normallyclosed contacts of limit switch 74. In normal operation, a negative biasis imposed on the shield grid 94b of thyratron 94 by a negative biassource 96, and the photocell 82 is connected with the negative biascircuit 96 in such manner that light energization of the photocell 82will reduce the negative bias on shield grid 94b, and cause thyratrontube 94 to fire. This energization of thyratron tube 94 causes theenergization of relay 90, with the closing of contacts 91 andenergization of drive motor 87. The uncharged condenser 99 effectivelyshorts out resistance 98 during such energization, but when condenser 99is fully charged, the current through coil 92 is suflicient to hold therelay closed.

bias normally imparted by the negative bias circuit 96, hence, thyratrontube 94 remains in a firing condition even though light energization ofthe photocell 82 is interrupted. Hence, the light reducing effects ofthe spray mist may de-energize photocell 82, but will not interrupt theenergization of drive motor 87. This insures that the drive motor 87 forthe spray head will remain energized until the spray head completes afull traverse across the conveyor.

De-energizationof drive motor 87 is efiected by the opening of the limitswitch 74, which is momentarily opened when the spray head completes itstraverse. The opening of limit switch 74 de-energizes relay 92 and,hence, disconnects the positive bias circuit 97 from control grid 94c,and concurrently opens contacts 91 to deenergize the drive motor 87.This action is produced by the temporary elimination of condenser 99from the energizing circuit for relay 92, which results in the condenserdischarging through the coil of relay 92 to deenergize the relay. Whenthe cont-acts of limit switch 74 reclose, the condenser 99 is connectedback into the circuit in tis fully charged condition, and this preventssutficient current flow through the coil of relay 92 to cause it to pickup. Accordingly, even though thyratron tube 94 remains in a conductingcondition due to light impinging on photocell 82, relay 92 will remaindeenergized and, hence, drive motor 87 will not be ener: gized. Whenlight impinging on the photocell 82 is interrupted, such as by thepassage of the next row of bottles through the beam, the photocell 94 isrendered non-conductive, and the charge on condenser 99 is dissipatedthrough resistance 98. Thus, the thyratron tube 94 is restored to itsinitial condition wherein it is prevented from firing by the negativebias circuit 96, and tube 94 remains in such condition until thephotocell 82 is again light energized.

The apparatus of this invention has been found to possess extremeutility in applying the more recently developed surface-treating agents,such as the aqueous solutions or emulsions of silicone resins orpolyethylene ,waxes. It has been found generally desirable to bring thesurface temperature of the glassware to a temperature of from about 100F. to about 400 F. just prior to exposing them to the apparatus of thisinvention. Examination of glass containersbearing a'coating of asilicone resin deposited by the apparatus of this invention reveals thatthe entire surface thereof, both the top, or shoulder portion, and thebottom portion, exhibits uniform water repellancy, thus demonstratingthat a uniform deposit of the silicone resin has been satisfactorilyaccomplished with the apparatus of this invention. It has further beenfound that the aqueous solutions of silicone resin or polyethylene waxesare able to be deposited on glass containers, utilizing the apparatus ofthis invention, at a substantial savings in cost of treatment per unitbottle as compared to that possible with apparatus known heretofore. Ithas further been found that utilization of the apparatus of thisinvention in an annealing oven lehr, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6,for extended periods of time are possible without any materialcontamination of the annealing lehr by the resinous material containedin the aqueous solution. This has been made possible by the cooperativeinter-action efieoted between the relatively small singular and confinedzone of the mist of aqueous solution, the discontinuous operationthereof, and the exhaust duct positioned immediately below thespray-emitting source, whereby a positive unidirectional flow of themist of emulsion has been successfully maintained. This elimination ofcontamination of the adjacent annealing lehr efiects considerable savmgsin down time, which would otherwise be necessary in order to return theannealing lehr to its uncontaminated condition.

The present application is a continuation application of our applicationSerial No. 624,159, filed November 23, 1956, entitled, Apparatus ForApplying Surface Coatings'To Glassware. i

' While the'invention has been described with particular referencetocertain preferred embodiments thereof, it is'possible to make variationsand modifications therein without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for applying a surface treatment to only the outer surfaceof open-mouth glass containers, which comprises a" continuouslyadvancing conveyor for supporting and advancing glass containers intransversely aligned rows, a spray head support horizontally spanningsaid' conveyor and having a cam at each end thereof, means for angularlyshifting said support relative to said conveyor in a horizontal plane,spray means movably carried on said support and including a cam followeroperatively attached thereto for contacting each cam, saids'pray meansbeing adapted to emit a downwardly projected, generally confined mist ofa treating liquid, valve means'responsive to contact of said camfollower with each of said cams to regulate flow of liquid to said spraymeans in sequential fashion-as governed by said cam elements, drive"means for conveying saidspray means from a starting position at one endof said support to 'a second position at the other end of said supportand thence back to said starting position, a light-energizedphotoelectric cell mounted adjacent to said conveyor, means fordirecting a light beam across said conveyor to impinge on saidphotoelectric cell, and means responsive 'to light-energization of saidphotoelectric cell to activate said drive means, but only when saidcellreceives an uninterrupted beam of light preceded by an interruptionof said beam,

2. Apparatus for applying a surface treatment to only the outer surfaceof open-mouth glass containers, which comprises a continuously advancingconveyor for supporting and advancing glass containers in transverselyaligned rows, a spray head support horizontally spanning said conveyorand having a cam at each endthereof, spray means movably carried on saidsupport and including a cam follower operatively attached thereto forcontacting each cam, said spray means being adapted to emit a downwardlyprojected, generally confined mist of a treating liquid, valve meansresponsive to contact of said cam follower with each of said cams toregulate flow of liquid to said spray means in sequential fashion asgoverned by saidcam element's, d'rivemeans for conve'ying said spraymeans from 'a' starting position at one end of said support'to a secondposition at the other endof said support and thence back to saidstarting position, a light-energized photoelectric cell mounted adjacentto said conveyor, means 'for directing a light beam across said conveyorto impinge on said photoelectric cell, and means responsive tolight-energization of said photoelectric cell to activate said drive.means, but only when'said cell receives anuninterrupted beam of lightpreceded by an interruption ofsaidbeam;

3. Apparatus for applying a surface treatment to only the outer surfaceof open-mouth glass containers, which comprises a continuously advancingconveyor for supporting'and advancing glass. containers in transverselyaligned rows, a'spray headsupport horizontally spanning said conveyorand having a cam. at each end thereof, means for positioning saidsupport in angular relationship to the path of advancement ofsaid'co'nveyor, viewed in plan, spray means movably carried on saidsupport and including a cam follower operatively attached thereto forcontacting each cam, said spray, means being adapted to emit adownwardly'projected, generally confined mist of a treating liquid,valve means responsive to contact of said cam'follower with 'each' of.said cams to regulate flow of liquid to' said spray meansin'sequential-fashion as governedby said cam'elements,'drive means forconveying said spray means from a starting. position at one end of saidsupport to a second position at the other end of said support and thenceback to said starting position, a light-energized photoelectric cellmounted adjacent to said conveyor, means for directing a light beamacross saidconveyor to impinge on said photoelectric cell, and meansresponsive, to light-energization of said photoelectric cell to activatesaid drive means, but only when said cell receives' an uninterruptedbeam of light precededby a'n interruption of said beam.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED S TES PATENTS J cksonet a Fe 45

